Be sure to turn off the refiner. This sounds like you’re making models that aren’t aligned with their base models and the refiner runs in the last steps. If it’s a prompt out of alignment with the default base model it’ll heavily distort. Personally with SDXL I never use the refiner I just use more steps.

SD2 isn't SDXL. SD2 was a continuation of the original models that didn't see much success. It didn't have a refiner.

Well ya because SD2 literally had purposeful censorship of the base model and the clip, that basically made it DOA to the entire opensource community that were dedicated to 1.5, SDXL wasnt so bad so it gained traction but still 1.5 is the king because it was from before the damn models were gimped at the knees and relied on workarounds and insane finetunes just to get basic anatomy correct.

That makes sense. I'll try that next time!

Do you use the proper refiner model?

Probably not, since I have no idea what you're talking about. I've just been using the models that InvokeAI (2.3, I only just now saw there's a 3.0) downloads for me [0]. The SD1.5 one is as good as ever, but the SD2 model introduces artifacts on (many, but not all) faces and copyrighted characters.

EDIT: based on the other reply, I think I understand what you're suggesting, and I'll definitely take a look next time I run it.

[0] https://github.com/invoke-ai/InvokeAI

Basically don’t use SD2.x, it’s trash and the community rejected it.

If you are using invoke, try XL.

If you want to really dial into a specific style or apply a specific LORA, use 1.5.

SDXL should be used together with a refiner. You can usually see the refiner kicking in if you have a UI that shows you the preview of intermediate steps. And it can sometimes look like the situation you describe (straining further away from your desired result).

Same goes for upscalers, of course.